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Chapter 24: The Cold Welcome
They landed by nightfall.
Savannah hacked the grid. Eliot handled transport. Rina suited up in silence.
The Kane facility was buried inside a mountain—a fortress of frozen steel, guarded by a labyrinth of biometric checkpoints and automated drones.
But Rina had one advantage:
She was the blueprint.
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Inside the heart of the complex, they passed through shadow and signal. Eliot watched her closely.
"You don't have to confront her alone," he said.
"I was always alone," Rina replied.
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And then they entered the chamber.
A single chair.
And in it—her.
Lena Naomi Calyx.
Same eyes.
Same voice.
But no warmth.
"You look tired," Lena said.
"You look like a ghost," Rina answered.
They stood just meters apart.
Two perfect copies.
One made by love.
One raised by control.
"I don't want to hurt you," Rina whispered.
Lena smiled. "Then you'll lose."
She pressed a button on her wrist.
Alarms wailed.
And Rina realized—it wasn't just a trap.
It was a test.
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Author's Note:
The past is colliding with the present, and Rina's choices will shape the future. If you're loving this high-stakes twist, add Billionaire in Disguise to your library. Every collection pushes the mission forward—thank you for reading!
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